New York State Police are investigating a tragic incident in which a mother and her two young children fell to their deaths in Niagara Falls State Park on October 28. Authorities identified the victims as Chianti Means, 33, his 9-year-old son, Roman Rossman, and his 5-month-old daughter, Mecca Means. Police report the family bypassed safety barriers before falling over Niagara Falls from Luna Island, a small section of the park connected to Goat Island.
According new meNew York State Police emergency services were called to the scene around 9 a.m., and New York State Park Trooper James O’Callaghan confirmed in a statement that the police responded to an incident “on or around Goat Island in Niagara Falls.” Their investigation revealed that the family crossed the safety railing on Luna Island before falling into the water.
Although the bodies of Means and her children have not been recovered, authorities have deemed the deaths “intentional in nature” based on evidence gathered at the scene. The investigation remains active as police work to uncover more details about the circumstances of the fall.
Speaking to reporters on October 30, Constable O’Callaghan explained: “They went there and never came out. “That’s where we are.” He emphasized that the area around Niagara Falls is highly safe and several safety measures have been implemented. “It’s not something they just stumbled upon,” he said, noting that the family’s actions appeared deliberate.
O’Callaghan acknowledged that witness accounts have provided some insights, although he withheld details due to the ongoing investigation. However, he noted, “what they told us is alarming.” He added that police are working to understand the sequence of events that led to the tragedy. “What were the actual circumstances of how that happened? That’s the part we may be able to figure out, or we may never know. But the fact of the matter is that we don’t believe there are any other parties involved.”
The officer further explained: “Based on the information we have, we know it was an intentional act, but the motive is more difficult to answer.” As the investigation continues, the Niagara Falls community mourns the loss of Means and her two children, and local authorities are working diligently to gather any information that may shed light on the motives behind this tragic event.
